London introduces tax for emissions for old cars to tackle air pollution

London brought in a new levy on the oldest and highly polluting cars entering the town hall from Monday, practically doubling how much vehicle drivers have to pay in the recent blow to diesel.

Motorists are already charged 11.50 pounds ($ 15) to get in the financial district and parts of west London under a congestion charge. However those driving gas and diesel vehicles usually registered before 2006 will need to pay an extra 10 pounds.

The new charge could even more encourage motorists to switch to greener models in among Europe’s biggest cities as Mayor Sadiq Khan hopes the new levy to decrease toxicity, referred as the T-Charge, will help save thousands of lives annually.

“The air is bad, but it’s likewise a killer,” he informed Reuters. “There are children in London whose lungs are underdeveloped. There are grownups who suffer a whole host of conditions caused by the poor quality air from asthma to dementia to suffering strokes.”

The tax will apply to approximately 34,000 vehicles monthly, according to Khan’s office, a little proportion of the 535,000 vehicles which enter into the area. However it sets the tone for future policies along with an ultra low emission zone due by the end of 2020.

Although the T-Charge will also impact older petrol cars and trucks, diesel has been especially maligned over the last couple of years, with sales reduction of 14 percent this year in Europe’s second-biggest cars and truck market as petrol need continues to increase.